Dubai: UAE leaders and officials yesterday paid tribute to Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who founded the nation and envisioned its prosperous future, saying his legacy continues to guide them and inspire the country's development process.
Marking the sixth death anniversary of Shaikh Zayed, Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, said Shaikh Zayed was "a brave leader who believed strongly in his nation's ability to create new circumstances that was unprecedented in the region". The development of the UAE was drawn upon "his pioneering vision which started with building the unity of a strong and viable state," he added.
"Shaikh Zayed also focused on building the national identity of the Emirati person which was another visionary element in Zayed's plan to build a strong nation," Shaikh Hamdan said.
Generous side
Shaikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, said Shaikh Zayed is remembered today for his great achievements. "The late father built a country that has become an example of progress and solid development. He earned the love and respect of his nation. His hands of support extended abroad to UAE neighours and the needy around the world through his assistance and charity programmes," he said.
Shaikh Hamdan said the nation could use the occasion to renew its promise to Shaikh Zayed that "it will follow in his steps and build on his great achievements to keep the UAE flag high".
Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, said Shaikh Zayed believed in building a secure and prosperous nation and saw his dreams become reality.
"I can't say that I remember the late Shaikh Zayed on this occasion because he has never disappeared from my mind. My father extended the concept of national security to cover the region which had resulted in enhancing safety and security in the whole Gulf region," he said.
Shaikh Saif said Shaikh Zayed had taught that all people are equal. One who lent such true meaning to life would never die from the hearts and minds of his people, he added.
Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, said remembrance of Shaikh Zayed on his sixth death anniversary came at a time when the country was moving forward on the path he had set. President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has inherited the immense belief and unwavering determination of the founding father to realise national objectives, he said.
"We have great trust and confidence that our sustainable development set by the late father will continue under the leadership of Shaikh Khalifa whose main objective is to coordinate all the efforts and to utilise all the resources and to safeguard the unity of federation," he said.
